Lunar lander competition ends with a bang

ARMADILLOS are tough little critters, and their namesake has also proved particularly hardy.

Nevertheless, Armadillo Aerospace's hopes of winning $1.35 million in prize money at the 2007 Northrop Grumman Lunar Lander Challenge in New Mexico, ended in disappointment when their vehicle's engine exploded on Sunday.

To win the cash, the team's lander had to perform a series of take-offs and landings over various terrains and distances.

Armadillo ran into trouble early, when a fuel-line blockage prevented the vehicle's engine from starting. On its second flight, the vehicle came tantalisingly close to a soft landing, but plummeted the last few metres after running out of fuel, which had leaked from a crack in its engine.

The following day, its replacement engine also sprang a leak. In a last-ditch attempt, Armadillo swapped the engine once more, but this one exploded at launch. The fire burned out with no injuries.

"We'll nail it ...

To continue reading this article, subscribe to receive access to all of newscientist.com, including 20 years of archive content.

To continue reading this article, log in or subscribe to New Scientist

App + web

Web

Smartphone

Tablet

$25.99 - Save 65%

12 issues for $2.17 per issue

with continuous service

Print + web

Print

Web

$28.99 - Save 61%

12 issues for $2.42 per issue

with continuous service

Print + app + web

Print

Web

Smartphone

Tablet

$39.99 - Save 73%

12 issues for $3.33 per issue

with continuous service

Web

Web only

$49.99

30 day web pass

Prices may vary according to delivery country and associated local taxes.